WebProNews

YouTube has announced an online contest that invites classical musicians from around the globe to submit two videos showcasing their musical abilities.

Winners from the competition will be flown to New York for a three-day music summit with top symphony music directors and other performers concluding with an April 15, 2009, Carnegie Hall concert.

YouTube says, "musical experts from the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, Hong Kong Philharmonic  Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and other leading orchestras around the world will narrow the field of entries from localized YouTube countries to a group of semifinalists. In February, the YouTube community will be invited to vote for their favorite semifinalists."

Those participating are required to submit a video of their interpretation of an original piece by Chinese contemporary classical composer Tan Dun, and a second classical piece of their choosing to demonstrate their musical ability.

"The YouTube Symphony Orchestra will transform individual performances into a global symphony and change the way musicians connect over the Internet," the company said on its blog.

The deadline to submit the videos is January 28, 2009. YouTube viewers will vote on the semi-finalists February 14-22 and the winners will be announced on the site on March 2.

The contest is open to any classical musician playing any instrument.